Waterproofing the Foundation of Your Home

Yes, you read that correctly. The foundation of your home needs attention and maintenance to prevent water penetration. Structural failure of a home’s foundation is one of the worst problems that a homeowner can face. The integrity of your foundation is threatened most by water, which can get into your crawlspace or basement and cause structural damage. Even if your foundation seems dry, water being held in the dirt underneath can cause shifts and loose its strength over time.

To avoid these potential problems, it is important to maintain a dry foundation. Unfortunately, conventional concrete is not entirely waterproof. Although it may seem to be waterproof when you see puddles on a patio or sidewalk, water vapor can travel through, making basements and crawlspaces damp.

Depending on different factors such as the depth of the foundation, location, and topography of your lot, the task of making sure you have proper drainage may be relatively simple or more involved. There are a few different ways to go about waterproofing your foundation and allowing proper drainage:

1. Exterior waterproofing involves extensive excavation, which needs to be done around the entire house and all the way to the foundation’s base. Professionals will then use a waterproof coating to seal the walls and make them watertight. This helps by directing water away and towards a drainage system. Thanks to this waterproofing method, homeowners can keep water from seeping into below-grade spaces through the walls or foundation.

2. Interior waterproofing usually involves cracks, which will normally form in concrete foundations, are a common water entry point. Fortunately, many professionals have the skills and equipment to seal such cracks. To seal off potential moisture entry points, waterproofing experts will usually inject a special sealant into the crack openings from the inside of below-grade spaces, making sure it penetrates all the way to the outside. The sealants used should have the ability to prevent leaks even when subjected to high levels of humidity.

3. Drainage systems serve to drain underground water from below-grade spaces as well as the water that collects along the foundation. Though some homeowners take the functionality of an interior drainage system lightly, these systems can provide extensive benefits when there’s a power outage, heavy rainfall or heavy melting of snow. Apart from helping to ensure the area is free of both mold and mildew, proper drainage is effective in keeping water out of the home.

For design services, home remodeling, or basement finishing in Portland, Vancouver, and the surrounding areas, please give Bridge City Contracting a call. Whether you need new gutters or a complete kitchen remodel, contact us at (360) 947-4000 to schedule a consultation today!